Why I do it: A basic yoga pose, Pigeon is one of the most effective hip openers, allowing me to focus on one hip at a time.
Sit with your right knee bent and your left leg extended behind you. Pull the right heel in toward your left hip, or if your hips are more open, inch your right foot away from you. Make sure your left hip is always pointing down toward the mat. If it begins to open up toward the ceiling, draw your right foot back in toward your body.
Stay here with your hands resting on your right thigh or your hips, or walk your hands out in front of you, allowing your torso to rest over your right knee.
I like to hold here, breathing into any areas of tightness and tension for at two minutes on this side, and then repeat on the left.